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Does taking out the only bathtub and putting in a shower hurt the resale of your home?

This is a question we get asked a lot around the Bath Fitter offices and often we’re not entirely sure how to answer…so after a little research, here’s a great article that came originally from www.realtor.com with answers from realtors around the country…

Q: How much value do you lose in putting in a shower stall versus a tub/shower in a one bathroom house?–Anonymous, DuBois, PA

A: The actual ‘value’ of such a change would depend on your community’s comparables, specifically. Generically speaking- this being a one bathroom home- you would most certainly be detracting from buyer’s expectations by removing a tub option for them. Many buyers prefer such, as they need to bathe children, etc. Consider instead, tiling the tub surround’s walls with something fresh- like a subway tile or neutral ceramic palette. You then add to the space, without disappointing buyers by removing a tub completely.Jennifer Chaney is a Realtor® with Champion Realty In Stevensville, MD.

A: When you have a home with only one bathroom, it is most desirable to have a shower over tub.

By removing your bathtub and having only a shower, you’re not losing value as much as affecting the number of buyers who will want your house. When it’s time to sell your house, if there are other similar homes with shower/tub combos, typical buyers will choose the house with the tub/shower over your house.

By making your bathroom slightly less desirable, it could potentially take longer to sell your home, which statistically causes the sale price to drop.

A: The answer is not as clear as giving you an actual number, but should make sense to you. First you need to see what comparable properties are offering, and whether or not “shower vs. tub” makes a big difference in your market. The only way to know that is asking a Realtor who works actively with buyers in similar properties. The second factor is about marketability of your property when it is time to sell. Removing the tub may not decrease value, but may make it more difficult to sell. Many times updates to a home make it more marketable and easier to sell, and worth the money in the long run.Ines Hegedus-Garcia is a Realtor® with Majestic Properties Design District, LLC in Miami, FL.

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